Vote

Vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 7th!

The Importance of Voting:

By voting, you are making your voice heard and registering your opinion on how you think your government should operate. Voting is a fundamental process that keeps our system of government working. With a government elected by its citizens that affects every aspect of our lives, voting is a very important right in our society. On Election Day, every vote counts.

Voting Requirements:

In order to vote, you must be a United States Citizen and must turn 18 years of age on or before Election Day.

You also must be registered to vote in New York. Click here to check if you are registered.

You will not be eligible to vote if you are in prison, on parole for a felony conviction, or currently judged mentally incompetent by a court.

Primary elections in New York State are closed primaries. This means that you are only allowed to vote in the primary if you are registered to vote with the respective party. For example, only persons registered with the democratic party are allowed to vote in a democratic primary.

How to Register to Vote:

You can register to vote at the Suffolk County Board of Elections atPO Box 700, Yaphank NY 11980. You can also request a form to be mailed to you by calling the Board of Elections at (631) 852-4500.

You may also register to vote using the New York State Voter Registration Form accessible at the links below. You can complete a PDF version of the New York State Voter Registration Form on-line by clicking on the link below, typing the necessary information and selecting the appropriate boxes. Alternatively, you can print the form to complete by hand. Once the form is completed, you need to print the form and sign it. We cannot accept any kind of digital or Adobe-generated signature. Then, mail the form to the Suffolk County Board of Elections at PO Box 700, Yaphank NY 11980

How to Make Changes to Your Voter Registration:

The voter registration form above should be used as a change of address form. Notices of change of address from registered voters received at least 20 days before a special, primary or general election by the Suffolk County Board of Elections must be processed and entered in the records in time for that election.

The voter registration form above should also be used to change your party enrollment from one party to another or to enroll for the first time in a party. A change of enrollment received no later than 25 days before the general election shall be deposited in a sealed enrollment box and opened the first Tuesday following that general election and entered in the voter's registration record.

How to Vote:

Polls are open from 6:00 AM- 9:00 PM on Election Day. If you are in line by 9:00 PM, you will be allowed to vote.

Absentee Ballots:

Any registered voter wishing to vote by absentee ballot must have a valid reason to vote absentee, such as:

Absence from Suffolk County on Election Day

Temporary illness or physical disability

Permeant illness or physical disability

Duties related to primary care or one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled

Patient or inmate at a Veterans’ Administration Hospital

Detention in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony

You can submit an absentee ballot application by clicking here to download a printable version of the application. Print and complete both sides of the Absentee Ballot Application, sign it and mail the application to the Suffolk County Board of Elections at Suffolk County Board of Elections, PO Box 700, Yaphank NY 11980.